News in brief: East Europe

Poland’s first domestically built helicopter 

Poland secured its maiden fully indigenous AW149 helicopter in November last year in a bid to modernise its helicopter fleet, according to the Polish Ministry of National Defence’s media statement. Under a 2022 agreement, 32 aircraft produced by the Italian company Leonardo were slated to be delivered, of which 10 were to be produced in Italy and the remaining 22 in Poland. The AW149 has a modular cabin and the ability to install systems for transport, medical evacuation, close support, and reconnaissance.

Lithuania’s $148 million buy 

Lithuania has placed a third order for the Swedish firm Saab’s Mobile Short Range Air Defence (MSHORAD) vehicle-mounted system. The deal, worth $148 million, was announced in December 2025, according to the company’s media statement. Slated for delivery between 2026 and 2030, the MSHORAD offers instant detection, mobility, protection, and flexibility for the air defence units.

C-390 jet for Hungary 

The Hungarian Air Force received the second C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft at its Kecskemét air base from the Brazilian firm Embraer in November 2025, the Hungarian government said in a statement. The aircraft offers advanced operational performance, higher flexibility, and lowered life-cycle costs.

The jets specialise  in diverse roles, including paratrooper missions, search and rescue, aerial refuelling, evacuation, and humanitarian operations.

World’s largest networked ground vehicles 

Ukraine placed an order with German firm ARX Robotics to deliver additional Gereon unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in November 2025, paving the way for the deployment of the world’s largest integrated network of military UGV robots, as per the firm’s media statement.

Already operational on Ukraine’s frontlines, the fleet is expected to increase to hundreds of systems integrated via ARX’s Mithra operating system, enabling coordinated large-scale missions. 

Jet-powered drones redefine the Russia-Ukraine war 

During the Russian strikes in late November last year, Ukraine deployed its interceptor drone, the Sting, to combat Russia’s new indigenous Geran-3 drones for the first time, the Business Insider reported. Modelled after the Iranian Shahed-238, the Geran-3 jet-powered attack drone boasts a small Tolou-10/13 turbofan engine and has a speed of 550-600 kilometres per hour.